Medal of Honor recipient faced 'blizzard of bullets'
Washington (CNN) - President Barack Obama recognized a soldier's struggles on and off the battlefield when he presented the Medal of Honor on Monday.
Army Staff Sgt. Ty Carter received the top combat valor medal for demonstrating "the urge to serve others at whatever cost," Obama said, when his combat station in Afghanistan came under attack.
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Read more: After giving the military a second try, soldier to receive top honor
The October 2009 assault on Combat Outpost Keating by some 300 Taliban fighters left eight Americans dead, many wounded and "almost everyone was left with deep invisible wounds to their hearts and to their minds," Carter said after the White House ceremony.
"Only those closest to me can see the scars that come from seeing good men take their last breath," he said.
A second soldier, Army Staff Sgt. Clint Romesha, in February was presented with the Medal of Honor for his role in that battle. Two living soldiers have not been presented the medal for the same battle in nearly 50 years.
Photos: Staff Sgt. Ty Carter awarded Medal of Honor
Now, Carter is an advocate for other veterans suffering from the invisible wounds of war, including post-traumatic stress disorder.
Obama recounted Carter's acts of bravery, then said it is "absolutely critical for us to work with brave young men like Ty to put an end to any stigma that keeps more folks from seeking help."
The president noted the "blizzard of bullets and steel into which Ty ran, not once or twice, or even a few times, but perhaps 10 times, and in doing so he displayed the essence of true heroism."
Carter planned to show his family around the Washington monuments, Obama said. But "if you want to know what makes our country truly great, if you want to know what a true American hero looks like," he told them at the ceremony, "you don't have to look too far. You just have to look at your dad because today he's the sight we've come to see."
- CNN Chief Washington Correspondent Jake Tapper contributed to this report
These soldiers are so brave, someone may call you a hero in a sport or in a game, but these guys are the true heroes, the ones who defend this country with their lives, not only him, but ALL of them, he is extraordinary, he sacrificed his life for his peers and for his country. God bless him.
Any one that stands up to islamist animals deserves a medal.
Did that know-nothing, militantly, anti-military militant Obama call the staff sergeant a "corpse-man"?
Fed Up we aren't landing troops in Syria. I have no clue where you people get that information from. It is just the same as the fools that claimed Obama was going to land troops in Libya, which never happened.
I wonder how long it took for his colon to untwist from having to give a medal to a White guy.
Why do we keep sending our brave young men and women off to fight in other people's squabbles? Is it because we want their oil? We should have a strong military, but ONLY for defense. We should not be constantly invading other countries. It just makes more and more people hate us.
Did that know-nothing, militantly, anti-military militant Obama call Ty Carter a "corpse-man"?
What a great soldier. Thank you for your service and sorry about the dipwads that can't see this story is about you.
Awesome job and THANK YOU!
Where are the purple hearts for the dead in the Fort hood shooting?
sad soldiers had to die in this area. They should not have been subjected to such an easily attacked site.
what exactly was being expressed to the locals by soldiers losing their lives defending a position that had the low ground.
Some men do nothing but talk about what badasses they are, and other men show them how it's done. My hat's off to SSgt Carter for doing what he thought had to be done despite the personal risk. This man is a real hero, in every sense of the word.
The rampant hatred and racism so many people show for this president is unprecedented, and for you folks who express such sentiment I can only say I will pray for you. I don't always agree with ANY politician at ANY level, but this ceremony today was about a true hero who showed courage and determination in a terrible firefight. Let's focus on the reason for the ceremony and, if nothing else, respect the office of the President of the United States for what it is, the role of the Commander-in-Chief of our brave armed forces. God bless this warrior and God bless the United States!
SSgt.Thank you so very much for the service that you and all of your men have provided.It really makes me feel proud to be an American.
I am a 26 year Marine Corps..(pronounced core not corPs)..jet fighter combat veteran. I am so thankful for men like SSgt .Carter. Brave men who have shown Valor far above the "Call of Duty"...for those who have never faced combat or lost close friends in battle, just keep on with your cliches and name calling of those who politically disagree with you. While men like Sgt. carter and I might add myself) keep defending your right to do so. It is a fact, that by far, the majority of our combat vets are politically conservative...so go ahead and call the conservatives on here whatever you want to and show your own mental limitations and ignorance and intolerance. But and I do speak with more knowledge on this subject than 99% of others on this board have and it is obvious that this President loathes the military and what it has stood for since our nations founding. And the vast majority of vets serving and retired have no respect for the man. Now go ahead and start calling me names...I expect it, Semper Fi,,,
And ultimately this brave mans efforts will have been for absolutely nothing. Shame on you America.
Obuma looks like he'd rather have a root canal than put this medal around Staff Sgt. Carter's neck. Thank you for your brave service, kind sir and remember there are those who DO appreciate those who sacrifice for all.
On that note, when can we expect to see similar accolades from Obuma for the brave souls who fought for hours against the *cough* Youtube video protestors *cough* and lost their lives attempting to defend the interests, lives and property of the United States of America?
Thank you Staff Sgt. Carter and everyone that fought at Outpost Keating for what you've done and been through.
Many thanks to SSG Carter, SSG Romesha, the other soldiers who endured this battle, and those who did not make it home. Having been on COP Keating about 6 months before that battle, I can imagine what they were up against given the terrain.
For the MANY of you who decided to use this forum for grandstanding, name calling, and political BS that has nothing to do with the sacrifice this soldier made, I am truly embarrassed by your behavior as a fellow American. You have no shame, and your comments on this board are truly disrespectful to SSG Carter and the soldiers of COP Keating.
Fascinating, that the so many people are simultaneously praising SSgt. Carter's courage and implying that he is not a true patriot (or very intelligent) because he accepted this medal from a President they somehow regard as "not real."
Vile beyond belief.
John Jingle is the definition of hate and reflects the arrogant and simple-minded bubble life low IQ image people of the world laugh at and hate us for. I dont wish death on anyone however when he dies, the world will be a better place.
Wonder why that was necessary?????
Could it be the guy in charge?????
Excuse me, but who got us into this war in the first place, who is doing his best to end it, and who is now advocating hard and fast strikes in Syria?
This whole thread should have been about these soldiers; and even then the haters could not hold back. Very saddening.
Thank you for your service and bravery. SSG Carter I hope you find a way to make the silent pain go away, so you can resume a normal life. May God bless you and your family. Thanks again, young man.